Apparatus and method for straightening and supporting a damaged wall

ABSTRACT

The PowerBrace system gives a positive solution to basement wall problems. When the wall cracks and bulges are due to freeze or hydrostatic preasure, PowerBrace can hold it from further movement and in most cases straighten it. By tightening the top bracket the PowerBrace system puts preasure on the top of the beam and straightens the wall. This movement is usually gradual as the system is retightened. Unlike many other wall repair systems the PowerBrace system does not rely on questionable soils outside the wall to hold the wall, nor does it put to much stress on the beam. Any bending of the main beam constitutes a failure in the system. By anchoring to the concrete basement floor and to the solid floor joist system, the PowerBrace system is solid and will not be aloud to shift or fail. the PowerBrace system solves problems relating to the sheering effect at the base of the wall caused by hydrostatic preasure, as well as any other wall movement. The system can also be instaled at the time of construction to prevent any possible damage.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] Powerbrace is a bracketing system for the support and straiteningof basement walls that are damaged from cracking and bowing.

[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0004] PowerBrace is a bracketing system that reinforces and straightensbowed basement walls. It is a system that fastens to the solid concretefloor and the floor joists of the basement ceiling. This system does notrely on questionable soils outside of the wall.

SUMMARY INCLUDING OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES Objects and Advantages SUMMARYINCLUDING OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0005] PowerBrace is a bracing system used to repair basement walls.PowerBrace consists of a bottom bracket which is a 5 and ½ inch piece of2 inch angle iron with two {fraction (13/16)} inch holes in one leg toaccomadate two ¾ inch concrete anchors. This bracket is mounted into thecocrete floor of a basement. PowerBrace then uses a 5 inch long piece of3 and ½ inch angle iron with two {fraction (13/16)} holes in one leg andone 1 and {fraction (1/16)} hole in the other leg. This is the bracketthat is bolted to the floor joists and uses a 1 inch bolt to putpreasure on the top of a 4 inch 7.7 pound per foot I beam. The I beam isplace between these two brackets and the wall running from the floor tothe cieling. By applying torque to to the one inch bolt the beam putspreasure on the wall, and the wall is forced into it's originalposition.

[0006] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention arestraitening and reinforcing basement walls.

[0007] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. A is a TOP BRACKET, THIS BRACKET BOLTS TO FLOOR JOISTS IN ABASEMENT

[0009] FIG. B is a FLOOR BRACKET, THAT ANCHORS TO THE FLOOR OF ABASEMENT

[0010] FIG. C is a HOLDING BRACKET DESIGNED TO KEEP THE I BEAM FROMSHIFTING

[0011] FIG. D shows HOW BRACKET A AND C WORK TOGETHER WITH THE HARDWARETO FORCE THE WALL STRAIGHT.

[0012] FIG. E shows HOW THE BRACKET IN FIGURE B HOLDS THE BEAM IN PLACE.

[0013] FIG. F shows HOW THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WORKS TOGETHER

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DESCRIPTION

[0014] AS SHOWN IN FIGURE A. THE TOP BRACKET IS A 5 INCH LONG PIECE OF3.5 INCH BY 3.5 INCH BY ⅜ INCH ANGLE IRON WITH 2 {fraction (13/16)} INCHHOLES IN ONE LEG AND ONE 1.0625 HOLE IN THE OTHER LEG. THIS FASTENS TOTHE FLOOR JOIST OF A BASEMENT WITH 2 ¾ INCH BOLTS.

[0015] AS SHOWN IN FIGURE B. THE FLOOR BRACKET IS A 5.5 INCH PIECE OF 2INCH BY 2 INCH BY 0.25 INCH ANGLE IRON WITH 2 {fraction (13/16)} INCHHOLES IN ONE LEG. THIS ANCHORS TO THE BASEMENT FLOOR WITH 2 ¾ INCHCOCRETE SLEVE ANCHORS. AS SHOWN IN FIGURE C. THE HOLDER IS A 1.5 INCHPIECE OF 4 INCH BY 1.5 INCH CHANNEL. WITH A ½ INCH PIECE OF 1.25 TUBEWELDED I THE CENTER. 10

Preferred Embodiment Operation

[0016] Preferred Embodiment

[0017] Description

[0018] AS SHOWN IN FIGURE A. THE TOP BRACKET IS A 5 INCH LONG PIECE OF3.5 INCH BY 3.5 INCH BY ⅜ INCH ANGLE IRON WITH 2 {fraction (13/16)} INCHHOLES IN ONE LEG AND ONE 1.0625 HOLE IN THE OTHER LEG. THIS FASTENS TOTHE FLOOR JOIST OF A BASEMENT WITH 2 ¾ INCH BOLTS.

[0019] AS SHOWN IN FIGURE B. THE FLOOR BRACKET IS A 5.5 INCH PIECE OF 2INCH BY 2 INCH BY 0.25 INCH ANGLE IRON WITH 2 {fraction (13/16)} INCHHOLES IN ONE LEG. THIS ANCHORS TO THE BASEMENT FLOOR WITH 2 ¾ INCHCOCRETE SLEVE ANCHORS.

[0020] AS SHOWN IN FIGURE C. THE HOLDER IS A 1.5 INCH PIECE OF 4 INCH BY1.5 INCH CHANNEL. WITH A ½ INCH PIECE OF 1.25 TUBE WELDED I THE CENTER.

Conclusions, Ramifications, and Scope

[0021] Accordingly, it can be seen that THE POWERBRACE CAN REPAIR ANDREINFORCE A CRACKED AND BOWED BASEMENT WALL.

[0022] Although the description above contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments andramifications are possible within it's scope. For example, STOPING ANYFURTHER DAMAGE. FORCING THE WALL BACK IN PLACE, PROVIDING A STRAIGHTWALL.

[0023] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by theappended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examplesgiven.

What is claimed is:
 1. The PowerBrace system will hold and staighten abulging basement wall. It will also contain any wall sheer at the baseof the wall. This system works from the preasure of the top bracket thatgets retightened over time. PowerBrace does not work from bending anybeam or channel, or by tieing the wall to a plate in the questionablesoils in the yard as many other systems that fail. It is a solid rigidsystem that works over time to staiten the wall.